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BIOGRAPHIES
Source:
Past & Present History of Wyandot County, Ohio -
Illustrated
Vol. II
Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1913
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SAMUEL W. ALTHOUSE, a
prominent tile manufacturer and farmer of Marseilles township, is a
native of Ohio, born in Crane township, Wyandot county, Feb. 21,
1853. His father, Christian Althouse, was born in
Canton Bern, Switzerland, on the 20th of August, 1821, and when he
was thirteen years of age crossed the Atlantic to America, settling
immediately in Holmes county, Ohio, where he remained for twelve
years. In 1847 he moved to Wyandot county, becoming numbered
among the pioneers in this part of the state, and he carried on
general agricultural pursuits upon his farm in Crane township until
his death, which occurred in 1886. He married, on the 24th of
March, 1851, Miss Anna Gerrich, who was born in Switzerland
on teh 8th of July, 1827. She came to America in 1849,
settling immediately in Wyandot county, where she died March 25,
1887. She was a devout member of the German Reformed church.
In this family were eleven children: Lizzie, who has passed
away; Samuel W., of this review; Harriett; John; Caroline;
Carl; Mary, who died in 1901; William; George, who has
passed away; Emma, whose death occurred Jan. 19, 1910; and
Alvin.
Samuel W. Althouse attended school in Crane
township until he was sixteen years of age and from his early
childhood assisted with the work of the homestead, becoming a
skilful and practical agriculturist. After laying aside his
books he remained with his father upon the farm until after he had
attained his majority, when he turned his attention to the
carpenter's trade, working at it for five years and afterward
engaging in the sawmill business. In 1892, after ten years in
the latter occupation, he purchased a tile plant in Marseilles
township and this he has since operated, building up a profitable
and growing business by reason of his industry, his business
discrimination and his excellent organizing ability. In
addition to his manufacturing interests he has also valuable land
holdings in this township and is a prosperous farmer, his one
hundred and sixty acres, located on sections 15 and 16, constituting
one of the finest agricultural properties of this vicinity. He
has made substantial improvements upon it and gives a great deal of
time to the cultivation of his fields, harvesting fine crops of hay,
corn, oats and wheat. Aside from this he is also an extensive
stock-raiser, feeding seventy-five head of pure bred Duroc Jersey
hogs, fifty sheep and about eight horses and selling his animals in
the local markets. He has made this a very remunerative
department of his farm, to the development of which he gives careful
and practical attention, being known as one of the most progressive
and able farmers in this locality.
On the 6th day of May, 1880, in Upper Sandusky, Mr.
Althouse married Miss Catherine Mahle, a daughter of
John and Anna M. (Meyer) Mahle, residents of Mifflin township.
The father was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, on the 14th of March,
1823, and spent his boyhood days in his native country, coming to
America when he was a young man. He settled in Ohio, where he
early made a reputation as a straightforward, honorable and reliable
business man, gaining the respect and esteem of all with whom he
came in contact. He married Anna Mary Meyer in Bucyrus,
Ohio, on the 17th of January, 1856, with her spent over fifty years
of a happy wedded life. She also was born in Wurtemberg,
Germany, her birth having occurred on the 23rd of December, 1827,
and she came to America in 1852, settling in Bucyrus and later
moving to Mifflin township where she passed away when she was
eighty-four yeas of age. She was a devout member of the
Bethany Lutheran church. Mr. and Mrs. Althouse
became the parents of four children. Elnora H. married
F. W. Ulrich, a farmer in Salem township, and they have three
children, Frieda E., Florence M. and Wayne L.
Matilda, Allen D. and Harley F. live at home, the latter
being engaged in teaching.
Mr. Althouse is a member of the Presbyterian
Church and politically gives his allegiance to the democratic party,
having served for fifteen years as councilman of Marseilles village
and as a member of the school board for five years. He is
widely known throughout this section of the county, where he has so
long resided, and his many sterling qualities of mind and character
command the respect and esteem of the entire community.
~ Page 306 - Source: Past & Present History of Wyandot County, Ohio -
Illustrated -
Vol. II - Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company - 1913 |
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